80% of students who say in church after high school said their parents provided spiritual guidance compared to 59% who had dropped out.
50% of the students who stayed involved in church said their parents discussed spiritual matters with them on a regular basis. 30% of those who have dropped out of church say they had these discussions
Those whose parents were actively involved in church, %50 stayed in church while 31% dropped out
57% of students who stayed in church said their parents expressed an expectation that they would remain in church while 39% of those who dropped out say their parents had the same expectation.
42% of students who stayed in church said their parents prayed with them regularly. 22% of students who dropped out said the same thing.
Here's what all these numbers are telling us...a parents involvement (or lack of involvement) in church plays a significant role in the life of a student. If a parent of a student is actively involved in a growing relationship with Christ will have a major impact on the spiritual life of their student. Culture might say, "don't meddle in your student's life, especially on spiritual matters...they need to choose that for themselves," but by doing that you're handing over the reigns to someone who doesn't have full use of the part of the brain allows students to make fully informed decisions.
If you want your student to grow in their relationship with Christ then you have to expect it and live it. Is your example one that is leading your student to grow in his/her relationship with Christ or is it reflecting a mindset of convenient Christianity. Is God convenient for your life or necessary? Are you portraying that to your child?
I encourage you to expect your student(s) to be at church and I encourage you to live your life as a godly example that your would proud of them to follow!
liveUnhindered/loveUnashamed
JM
*stats are from a LifeWay study...you can find out more at www.lifewayresearch.com
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